MALP Workday—D. T. Fleming Arboretum at Pu’u Mohoe

Saturday October 23rd 2010 8am till 1pm followed by lunch and an optional tour of the Arboretum.

Martha Vockrodt-Moran will be guiding us through a light work session of four hours followed by a picnic lunch and an optional tour of the Arboretum.

The D.T. Fleming Arboretum is one of Hawaii’s oldest and largest native arboretums. It was planted in the Pu’u Mahoe cinder cone on Maui’s southern slopes of Ulupalakua to preserve species from the dying forest of Auwahi. It is a native Hawaiian Botanical Garden dedicated to protecting and preserving Hawaiian native plants through protection, propagation and distribution.

Pu’u Mahoe was a gift to D.T. Fleming from Ed Baldwin of Ulupalakua Ranch. It was a reward for introducing a wasp to parasitize the Pamakani weed that was taking over the grazing lands. After years of introducing trees to Maui from around the world “to make Maui a better place to live,” D.T. Fleming’s dream for retirement was to plant an arboretum for native species. This 50-year-old Arboretum needs a lot of work to keep the trees healthy and to maximize its potential for preservation of these species.

We will meet at 8.00am to leave by 8.30am at the Keokea Park (Map). The park is located on lower Kula highway (Mauka side). Before Granmas’ Coffee Shop in Keokea. We encourage car pooling from the park. There is a restroom at the park.

Please wear work clothes and shoes and bring sunscreen, water, pruners, weeders or sickles. (Other larger tools will be provided if needed). Lunch will be provided by the Arboretum.

Please contact Gary on 298 8413 to confirm participation or for further information. For More information on the gardens visit www.flemingarboretum.org